Apple Rejects iPhone Wi-Fi Sync App

We reported last month about Greg Hughes’ iPhone WiFi app which allows you to sync wirelessly with iTunes much the same way as you do normally over USB. At the time, with the scant details available about the app, and Greg’s assertion that he was not “break[ing] any rules” we were positive, overall, about its prospects at getting approved by Apple.

Apparently the iPhoneWi-Fi Sync app communicates via a desktop client app, and the two work together to talk to iTunes, and spoof it into thinking it is connected to a device via USB in some way. There are various ways this can be done. But the end effect is an iPhone, iPod or iPad is talking to iTunes using the protocols it is supposed to.

At the time I had this to say:

Being pessimistic I can certainly see Apple taking a close look at how this desktop client bridges the connect between iTunes and the iPhone, and how the files are transferred. But it is certainly possible it is not breaking any rules that Apple has set, or are that concerned about enforcing. But app approvals are a rocky unpredictable road sometimes with Apple. And reasons given for rejection are not always very clear or transparent initially.

Even though we were optimistic about Wi-Fi Sync’s chances we always knew Apple would take a long hard look at it. And when they did, they rejected it.

Engadget have spoken to Greg and quote his version of the explanation he got from an unnamed Apple representative.:

While he agreed that the app doesn’t technically break the rules, he said that it does encroach upon the boundaries of what they can and cannot allow on their store. He also cited security concerns.

So there you have it. Clear as mud. But not a huge surprise.

Greg has subsequently released the App for $9.99 on the Cydianetwork. If your iPhone is jailbroken and you want this functionality it’s available there now.

Are you disappointed that Apple rejected this? Can we perhaps expect this to be provided by Apple in iPhone OS 4.x in future? Or not? Let us know in the comments.